No. 63 Squadron RAF

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No. 63 Squadron RAF
Hawker Hunter F.6 squadron emblem (6659113649).jpg
Hawker Hunter F.6 squadron emblem
Active31 August 1916 – 1 April 1918 (RFC)
1 April 1918 – 29 February 1920 (RAF)
February 1937 – April 1940
15 June 1942 – 30 January 1945
1 September 1946 – 31 October 1958
30 November 1958 – 23 September 1992
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto(s) Latin: Pone nos ad hostem
("Follow us to find the enemy") [1]
Insignia
Squadron BadgeA dexter arm in bend couped below the elbow grasping in the hand a battle axe [2] Approved by King George VI in December 1938. [3] This squadron chose a battle axe held by a strong arm as being indicative of battle - a sentiment amplified by the motto.
Squadron Codes63 (Feb 1937 – Nov 1938)
NE (Nov 1938 – May 1939)
ON (May 1939 – Sep 1939)
UB (Sep 1946 – Apr 1951)
Post 1950 Squadron Roundel RAF 63 Sqn.svg

Number 63 Squadron was a bomber aircraft and training squadron of the Royal Air Force that was active during various periods from 1916 to 1992. Originally using De Havilland DH.4 aircraft in World War I, it was last equipped with BAe Hawk jet trainers.

Contents

History

First World War

No. 63 Squadron was formed on 31 August 1916 at Stirling, Scotland as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. The squadron was intended to operate as a day-bomber unit over the Western Front in France, and was equipped with de Havilland DH.4 aircraft; however at the last minute the squadron was re-tasked to operate against the Turkish army in Mesopotamia (Iraq) and was re-equipped with R.E.8's for its new mission, when the squadron arrived in the Middle East in August 1917. No. 63 Squadron remained in Mesopotamia for the rest of the war, and it was disbanded on 29 February 1920. [4]

Inter-war

In February 1937 the squadron was refounded at Andover, Hampshire as a bomber unit, and three months later became the first unit to receive the Fairey Battle aircraft. Early in 1939 the unit was assigned an aircrew training role, and received a number of Avro Ansons, but the unit lost its separate identity in April 1940 when it became a part of No. 12 OTU.[ citation needed ]

Second World War

On 15 June 1942 No. 63 Squadron was reformed from part of No. 239 Squadron at RAF Gatwick, West Sussex with Alison engined North American Mustang I's. In January 1944 the squadron moved to RAF Turnhouse in Scotland and was re-equipped with Hawker Hurricane IV's in April 1944, converting to Supermarine Spitfire VB's in early May 1944. By the end of May the squadron was based at RNAS Lee-on-Solent, preparing for D-Day. During the allied landings 63 Squadron flew spotter flights above the Royal Navy, providing a form of Forward Air Control (FAC) for the naval gunners supporting the troops on land. The pilots of the squadron at this stage were drawn from former Army co-operation units, The Royal Marines and as well as the RAF. On 20 September 1944 the squadron relocated to RAF North Weald. The squadron was disbanded on 1 February 1945.

Post-war: enter the jets

A Hawker Hunter fighter jet in the markings of No. 63 Sqn Hawker Hunter F.6 (6659111545).jpg
A Hawker Hunter fighter jet in the markings of No. 63 Sqn

On 1 September 1946, No. 164 Squadron was renumbered as No. 63 Squadron, operating Spitfires from RAF Middle Wallop. Subsequently they moved to RAF Thorney Island, and shortly after in April 1948, the squadron was re-equipped with Gloster Meteor jet fighters. The squadron moved again, this time to RAF Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, in May 1950. After re-equipping with Hawker Hunter fighters in 1956, the squadron was disbanded again on 31 October 1958. [3]

Operational Hawker Hunter F.6 of No. 63 (Shadow) Squadron at its RAF Chivenor base in 1969 Hawker Hunter F.6 XG172 36.229.63Sq CHIV 23.08.69 edited-2.jpg
Operational Hawker Hunter F.6 of No. 63 (Shadow) Squadron at its RAF Chivenor base in 1969

63 Squadron reformed as a 'Shadow' unit for the Day Fighter Combat Squadron of the Central Fighter Establishment from 30 November 1958 until 1 June 1963. On the same day the number was transferred to No. 229 Operational Conversion Unit. based at RAF Chivenor, North Devon, as the 'Shadow' designation for one of its constituent squadrons. On 2 September 1970 No. 229 OCU was re-designated as the Tactical Weapons Unit and 63 squadron remained one of its 'Shadow' units. 63 squadron was transferred to No 2 TWU at RAF Chivenor, initially operating Hawker Hunter aircraft, and later, the BAE Hawk and when that unit was redesignated No 7 FTS on 1 April 1992, 63 Squadron remained a component part until 23 September 1992; when 63 Squadron last disbanded and its role was transferred to No. 19 (Reserve) Squadron.

Aircraft operated

FromToAircraft [5] [6] Version
Jul 1916June 1917various
Aug 1917Dec 1919 Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 B.E.2e
Aug 1917Apr 1919 de Havilland DH4
Aug 1917Feb 1918 Bristol Scout
Aug 1917Apr 1918 Spad S.7
Sep 1917Feb 1920 Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8
Sep 1917Aug 1919 Martinsyde G.102
Jan 1919Dec 1919 Bristol M.1 M.1c
Feb 1919Apr 1919 Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 S.E.5a
May 1919Aug 1919 Sopwith Camel
Feb 1937Mar 1937 Hawker Hind
Mar 1937Jun 1937 Hawker Audax
May 1937Apr 1940 Fairey Battle
Mar 1939Apr 1940 Avro Anson Mk.I
Jun 1942May 1944 North American Mustang Mk.I, Ia
Mar 1944May 1944 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc, Mk.IV
Mar 1944Jan 1945 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb
Sep 1946Mar 1948Supermarine SpitfireLF.16e
Apr 1948Jun 1948 Gloster Meteor F.3
Jun 1948Jan 1951Gloster MeteorF.4
Dec 1950Jan 1957Gloster MeteorF.8
Nov 1956Sep 1992 Hawker Hunter F.6
Aug 1980Sep 1992 BAE Hawk T.1、T.1A

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References

Citations

  1. ↑ Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p.  176. ISBN   0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ↑ Halley 1988, p. 128.
  3. 1 2 "RAF History: History of No. 63 Squadron". RAF History website. Archived from the original on 9 December 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
  4. ↑ "No 63 Squadron". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  5. ↑ Halley 1988, p. 129.
  6. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 48.

Bibliography

  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN   0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN   1-84037-141-2.
  • Rawlings, John. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1969 (second edition 1976). ISBN   0-354-01028-X.
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